The biggest issues facing each NFC team at minicamp

Offseason additions and subtractions are mostly complete and NFL teams are in the process of evaluating new talent and making sure it meshes well. Here are the biggest issues facing each NFC team headed into minicamps.

Philadelphia Eagles: After allowing the most passing yards in the NFL last season (289.8 per game), the Eagles need to improve their passing defense. The additions of safety Malcolm Jenkins and cornerback Nolan Carroll will help, but Philadelphia needs to get its secondary to become a strength on defense. Minicamp and training camp will be the first step toward that.

Chicago Bears: For once in Chicago, the problem is the defense, not the offense. Specifically, the Bears were atrocious in stopping the run, allowing a league-worst 161.4 yards per game. The franchise addressed the issue in the NFL draft, using its second- and third-round picks on defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton. Chicago also added veteran defensive end Jared Allen. Minicamp will be essential in getting its new pieces acclimated to Mel Tucker’s 4-3 scheme.

NFC South

Matt Ryan (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

New Orleans Saints: Will the Saints ever solve their running back problem? Mark Ingram, drafted in the first round in 2011, was supposed to be the franchise back, but he just hasn’t been that. Can Ingram finally blossom into a consistent threat, or will Pierre Thomas continue to be the team’s top rusher? Either way, New Orleans needs to improve on its 25th-ranked rushing offense (92.1 yards per game) from last season.

San Francisco 49ers: Chasing the Super Bowl champions, the 49ers have their own set of issues to worry about. The troubling part is that these problems have largely been off-the-field concerns. Talented defensive end Aldon Smith faces possible discipline after his latest legal woes, and franchise quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been mentioned in a police investigation. Starting in minicamp, San Francisco needs to focus on football and eliminate all external issues. The primary objective will be on improving the league’s 30th-ranked passing offense from last season, which gained only 186.2 yards per game.

Arizona Cardinals: Despite being one of the most talented teams in the NFC, the Cardinals missed out on the playoffs last year, partly because of the strength of their division. Arizona was a balanced team in 2013 with no glaring weaknesses, but the franchise needs to set the tone starting in minicamp that their quest for the postseason is more difficult than it is for the rest of the NFL. To help them get there, the primary objective is to bolster a rushing offense that ranked 23rd in the NFL last season and generated only 96.3 yards per game.

St. Louis Rams: Coach Jeff Fisher enters his third season as the Rams head coach and after starting to put his imprint on the franchise, it’s time for St. Louis to consistently compete. It starts with the passing game in 2014. Sam Bradford began to show glimpses last season before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. The Rams ranked 27th in the NFL last season in passing offense (195.3 yards per game). Wide receivers Chris Givens, Tavon Austin and free agent acquisition Kenny Britt need to help maximize Bradford’s production. With Bradford’s participation in minicamp likely limited, the receivers need to give additional effort to make that happen.